About The Book
The discerning scholar is adept at diagnosing the various spiritual illnesses
resulting from sins, and treating the malaise in the heart. If he finds a person
failing into despair, he tries to ignite the spark of hope in the heart. if, on
the other hand, he see that one in a reckless and fearless state, he works to in
still the fear of Allah in his heart. Thus, the scholar treats sickness by using
its opposite as a cure. Ibn al-Jawzi, has collected herein ominous narration,
warnings against wrongdoing, and stories of forbidding and punishment that shake
the hearts from their slumber. The self-assured one becomes anxious; the
heart-hearted becomes soft; the dried tear ducts start to flow; slothful becomes
motivated.

Hewas
born in509/510 AHthe
city of Baghdad and grew up studying under the leading scholars of the time,He
also was noted for his scholarship in the fields of history, linguistics,tafseerand
fiqh. In fact, he became the leading scholar of the HanbaliMadhabof
his time and played an important role in reviving and spreading it, especially
after the become a favorite of the Abassid Caliph, al Mustadi

Ibn al-Jawzi was severely tried
towards the end of his life when his criticism of Shaykh `Abd al-Qadir al-Gilani
- his senior of forty years - led to accusations made against him to the Sultan
al-Nasir by the Shaykh's children and supporters. He was taken from Baghdad to
the city of Wasit where he remained imprisoned for five years.

Ibn al-Jawzi passed away in 597
AH, two years after his release from Imprisonment.